Digital eye strain: The silent danger behind screens.

With the acceleration of the digital lifestyle, sitting for long hours in front of screens has become an integral part of many jobs. However, this habit comes at a high cost paid by the eyes. Medical reports indicate that spending a whole day between emails, video calls, and spreadsheets can cause annoying symptoms such as:

Headaches, eye dryness, blurriness, itching, redness, and a general feeling of discomfort.

Described as an "occupational hazard" by Dr. Douglas Wisner, head of the Lens Opacity and Primary Eye Care Department at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, eye strain due to screen work has become part of the challenges of modern life.

Amy Watts, Director of Vision Rehabilitation at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital, explains that there are two main reasons behind eye strain from screens:

1_ Reduced Blinking: When focusing on the screen, the number of eye blinks decreases, leading to dryness. Watts says, "Eyelids act as front windshield wipers, and when they don't blink enough, moisture accumulates randomly, affecting vision clarity."

2_ Eye Muscle Fatigue: Prolonged focus on a fixed point strains the small muscles responsible for clear vision, causing blurriness and weakness by the end of the day.

Blurry vision

Frequent headaches

Red eyes

Continuous itching and fatigue

Feeling of discomfort

Doctors recommend following the 20/20/20 rule to reduce eye strain:

Every 20 minutes, look at a distance of 20 feet (about 6 meters) for 20 seconds.

However, Watts suggests that recent studies indicate this rule may not be sufficient alone and recommends a longer break of 5 minutes every hour, especially to stand up and move around, which helps stimulate blood circulation and improve overall health.

Watts says that eye lubricating drops are an effective solution for dryness due to reduced blinking and emphasizes that they provide better results when used preventively, not just after symptoms appear.

It is preferable to use preservative-free drops as they are safer and avoid eye irritation.

She also recommends using them several times a day.

Don't forget about lighting and cleanliness

Good lighting relaxes the eyes, while dirty or smudged screens increase difficulty in focusing and accelerate the onset of strain.

Are blue light glasses helpful?

Dr. Steven Reed, President of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, says, "Blue light glasses do not cause harm, but they also do not offer significant benefits." Studies do not confirm their clear effectiveness in reducing strain.

Warning before bedtime

Dr. Wisner warns against using screens before bedtime, noting that lack of sleep increases body and eye fatigue, exacerbating the problem. Good sleep is an important factor in alleviating symptoms.

Wisner emphasizes that digital eye strain is not necessarily a sign of permanent damage but a result of using the eyes in ways they were not historically designed for. However, it is recommended to have an eye exam if symptoms persist or worsen.

In some cases, the solution can be simple, such as:

Using over-the-counter reading glasses.

Adjusting the prescription for current glasses.

If children complain of unclear vision or eye